NIscouter

I reviewed the link provided by OGE (posted as I was preparing my last post here) and noted it indicated the scout should take responsibility for not completing the requirements properly. I think OGEs question of how to address the SM applies to any reason the BoR doesn't pass a scout who is not ready to advance.

OGE - I got this reference from another forum quoting from the national advancement committee - it is a bit old (1998) but I think it still applies today. "The review is not an examination; the board does not retest the Scout. Rather, the board should attempt to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting's ideals. Scout spirit is defined as living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in a Scout's everyday life. The board should make sure that good standards have been met in all phases of the Scout's life. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Law is in keeping with th

Trevorum - That scout would pass. I think the operative word from my post is "Good" scout spirit, not "Perfect". This was the most difficult BoR I have ever experienced, but all involved felt that passing this scout through without some indication to him that his actions between his last BoR and this BoR were not even clsoe to showing scout spirit would have been a bad example for the rest of the troop. I think that without this type of review, the BoR does the scout and the troop no good.

The comment by Hunt that the scout spirit has been demonstrated leads me to ask, what does the BOR review if not scout spirit? We had a scout who had technically passed all of his rank advancement for 1st Class, but obviously was not showing good scout spirit. We adjourned the BOR for a month after discussing with the scout the meaning of the words in the oath and law, and setting up parameters for to reach to advance. This is what a BOR is all about.

Quick thread hijack Eamonn - I thought you must have played in the pack in Rugby, although you number eights always tried to join those pretty boy playing in the back line. I was a hooker myself. That was a great conversation starter at family reunions as no one knew what Rugby was. And the songs - my team was the most skilled in the third half, we never lost a post-game party.

Gee, Russ, if you are an old scout, I guess I am a really old scout! Pull up a log and have some fun!(This message has been edited by NIscouter)

Gern, you are using false logic here. Just because BSA has some hard and fast rules on relegion and sexual orientation, that does not translate into the way we deal with wayward boys. I think your definition of "Clean" (rerfence to sexual orientation) is incorrect. I think we all need a chance to redeem ourselves every now and then. As Eamonn noted, one boy in his Jambo troop was gvien this opportunity and was able to rise to the challange. We must not show the boys that one mistake condemns you for life. You have to live with the consequences, yes, but you should be given a chance to

Those last few posts were an a-"salt" on common sense! Now, on a serious note, I wish our council was like Pairiescouts, but we now have two $50 items and one $40 item. That, to me is way past the line. I agree with madkins007 on the fair value - just is not there with the popcorn anymore. OK, I've burst a kernal and should stop.

I reviewed the cost of the various popcorn items and can not beliwnve my eyes. Where is the low cost item? Why do we have an 18 pack of microwave that costs $15? My troop had a number of run in with the "It is too expensive this year and I can't afford it" last year, and now we see new increases. I was not impressed with the statement "your troop percentage stays the same". We have moved way past the line of being a way to support the scouts. I think our troop may set out this year and sell Christmas wreaths instead.

Thanks for the advice - I sometimes get my mind set on doing things one way and don't see the forest for the trees!

Just found out that National has decided to discontinue the JLT Training video (AV-02V013) and has no plans set at this time for a replacement.

CNYscouter - now I see this through a different light. Your son is right, there are many more important things to be done at the meetings. He sees clearly what the these adult leaders in the troop are missing. I feel that merit badges are important, but as an activity to allow the youth to grow outside of the regular meetings, not as the topic of meeting itself! As for the adults that insist this is the only time thier sons can work on merit badges, well, I would say tough! If the BOYS (not thier parents) want to advance, they will figure out a way to fit in the work.

Merit badges also develop the charactor of the scout, if done prpoerly. The scout is responsible for contacting the MB counciller(sp), reading the merit badge book, interpeting the requirements of the merit badge, and planning his time to do them. As one of our former SM told a scout in his 1st Class BOR, the advancement up to 1st Class is programmed in with the normal troop activities. The scout plans thier path in the quest to achieve Star, Life and Eagle. The meri badges allow the scout to customize his advancement to his own liking or dreams. So, I guess that really makes it a boy run a

I may be wrong, but I thought I saw the Troop Guide was part of the PLC in the SM handbook. This, to me, would indicate they are not part of any partol, as noted by KoreaScouter, until thier duties are completed. From my recent experience in Wood Badge, the method of the TG being outside of a patrol would be the best. I think the guide needs to be free from patrol responsibilities to properly assist the new scouts.

We had an injury to a boy using a "camp improvement" (a modified rope swing) when no adults were in the camp, which is why we have modified our approach in the last few years. Our scouters do not act as truant officiers or check to make sure the boys are at the MB classes - that is thier responsibility. We see summer camp as a time the boys get to experience true freedom from most adult oversight, and with that they also get to face the consequences of thier actions (i.e. - parents!). We have a daily summitt meeting where the scouts can discuss the daily activities, but the scouters TRY to kee

Is it like Wood Badge - if we tell you, we have to kill you :> OK, sorry for the interuption - back to the serious replies!

I read this thread Friday and got a BIG lump in my throat. My eyes started to cross and my mind snapped. Boom, I went to the BSA website to put in my 2 cents to National. There was NO e-mail contact for National, surprise, surprise. I wallowed around a bit and hit upon an idea. Go to "Scouting" mag and leave a messege in the letter to the editor section. So I did. I recommend that all of you who are as outraged at this behavior by National as I do the same. If these guys at National were in my troop, they would have had a number of SM conferences on living the Scout Oath and Law by now!

OK, maybe a little poetic license here - it sounded good and ...

FB - The horror of the flame wars in this thread! I thought you said " " But if you really sain " .. " Well, then NIscouter

SR450Beaver, maybe our troll will get a question that he can't "answer" and, like the troll in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", be sent over the cliff never to be heard from again.

Fuzzy Bear said NIscouter replied

Centreville Scout, I think you need to take your own advice. As a scout, and 12 years old at that, you are in a prime position to advance this type of agenda. You (through the PLC) have the power to set the meeting agendas and topics.

Ed, I have to disagree with you on this. I think you and hacimsaalk12 are, in reality, giving up on him and yes, ALL boys can lead. By promoting the idea in this thread that not all boy can be good leaders or leaders at all, based it appears only on the flimsy assumption that some do not want to be leader, is a misuse of logic of reasoning. Its' like saying the road is wet, so it must have rained. I recommend you quit being a contrarian and admit it, any boy can be trained to be a good leader - not a superstar perhaps, but a leader who can recognize group dynamics, bring his team together,get

Jamie - Welcome to the campfire! My son would not let me go to camp with him last year - he wanted his freedom to roam. A bit of advise, if I may, for you - give him his space, avoid helping him with ANYTHING if possible, bring a chair to watch the scouts do thier stuff, and avoid being a parent this week. Don't base your assessment of the experience on advancements or merit badges your son earns but on his experience as part of the partol and troop. Good Luck and hope the heat doesn't bite you too much.

Now I feel better! But then again, no one will know!